WFCO WF-8855E User manual

Operator’s Manual
Distributed in the U.S.A. and Canada by
ARTERRA DISTRIBUTION
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WF-9900 Series
Deckmount Converter-Charger
WF-8855E

SAFETY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................... 3
GENERAL INFORMATION
Reverse Battery Protection ........................................................................................................... 3
Automatic Cooling Fan ................................................................................................................ 4
Over-Temperature Protection ...................................................................................................... 4
Electronic Current Limiting ......................................................................................................... 4
Short Circuit Protection ............................................................................................................... 4
CIRCUIT PROTECTION
DC Fuses ......................................................................................................................................... 5
OPERATIONAL FEATURES
ree Stage Smart Charging ........................................................................................................ 5
TROUBLESHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Converter Output Voltage ............................................................................................................. 6
Reverse Polarity Fuses ................................................................................................................... 7
Troubleshooting Flow Chart ......................................................................................................... 8
GENERAL COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Agency Listings ............................................................................................................................... 8
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Mounting the Enclosure ................................................................................................................ 9
DC Connections ............................................................................................................................10
AC Connections ............................................................................................................................10
SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger Safety Features
Reverse Battery Protection
e WF-8855E Series Converter-Chargers will charge the 12-volt house battery if installed. A
battery does not have to be installed for WF-8855E Series Converter-Chargers operation. When
a battery is installed, two reverse polarity fuses are installed to protect the converter circuitry.
e fuses are located on the rear panel of the enclosure near the AC power cord (refer to Figure
1 below). is feature prevents permanent damage to the converter from a battery connected
into the circuit backwards. In addition to protecting the converter-charger, the reverse polarity
fuses are the main connection between the converter-charger and the DC fuse board of a distri-
bution center.

Automatic Cooling Fan
e cooling fan in the WF-8855E Series Converter-Chargers is controlled by the
current (Amperage) load attached to the converter, NOT by temperature. e on-board
microprocessor increases fan speed as the total load increases and decreases fan speed as
the load decreases.
Unlike traditional temperature-controlled fans, the load-controlled fan provides better
component cooling by avoiding temperature spikes which can lead to premature component
failure.
Over-Temperature Protection
If the internal temperature of the converter exceeds a critical point, it will shut down. is
protects the unit from excessive heat that may damage sensitive components. e unit will
restart once the temperature inside has dropped.
Electronic Current Limiting
In the event that the output current exceeds the maximum rating for the WF-8855E Series
Converter-Charger, the output current will remain constant, but the output voltage will
begin to drop. If this occurs, the unit will recover once loads are reduced.
Short-Circuit Protection
Should a short circuit occur in the RV, the WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger will drop
the voltage output to zero volts. If the short-circuit condition is removed and no other
fault conditions are detected, the converter will resume normal operation. However, short-
circuit conditions are dangerous, and an RV will require inspection by a qualied service
technician.
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Figure 1

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CIRCUIT PROTECTION
WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger Fuses
DC Fuses (12 Volts)
e DC fuse receptacle on the rear panel of the WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger has space
for 2 (two) Reverse Battery Protection fuses (see Figure 1 above). ese fuses should be replaced
with ATC or ATO automotive type fuses, such as Littelfuse type 257 or Bussmann type ATC.
• WF-8855E - (2) 35A
OPERATIONAL FEATURES
Converter Operation Modes
ree-Stage Smart Charging
e three-stage “smart” charger continuously measures the battery voltage output and regulates
the amount of charge using three modes of operation; Absorption, Bulk, and Float. See Figure 3
below.
e converter normally provides a constant target output voltage of 13.6 volts (nominal) to
power all the branch circuits. However, it is current limited, and if the output (load) current
reaches its maximum, the output voltage will drop as necessary to hold the converter’s
maximum output current level (the amperage rating) without exceeding it.
If the output current reaches its maximum (normally caused by a discharged battery), this will
cause the converter to go into Bulk Mode, which means the target output voltage will change
to 14.4 volts and a timer will start. Although the converter is outputting 14.4 volts, you will not
be able to read that on a voltmeter due to the voltage-current relationship. From the paragraph
above, as load current increases, output voltage decreases. e actual output voltage will not rise
until the load is reduced, which happens naturally as the battery charges or if 12-volt appliances
are turned o.
Bulk Mode will be maintained until the current draw drops to approximately ve amps, or
until the timer reaches four hours (whichever happens rst). en the target output voltage is
changed back to 13.6 volts for Absorption Mode. Lights that are powered from the output may
change brightness slightly at that time.
Aer the output has been maintained at 13.6 volts (Absorption Mode) for 44 hours, the
converter will change to Float Mode with an output of 13.2 volts. is output may then reset to
Absorption Mode (13.6 volts) if power is interrupted, or to Bulk Mode (14.4 volts) if the output
current limit is reached.

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Note: e converter, while in Float Mode, will continue to supply a trickle charge to the
battery. If the RV is in storage for any length of time, we recommend the battery and its uid
levels be checked every 3 weeks.
Note: For a detailed explanation of the charging modes, please refer to our publication
“eory of Operation”, document #AD-TD-0001-0.
TROUBLESHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Troubleshooting the WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger
Converter Output Voltage
Before checking the WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger output voltage, disconnect the
battery cables at the battery. Make sure the converter is plugged into a live AC source
(190-260 Volts). Check the converter output voltage at the battery with a voltmeter. Place
the meter probes on the disconnected battery cables; place the Positive (red) meter probe
on the + Positive red battery wire and place the Negative (black) meter probe on the
-Negative black wire on the battery cable (Figure 3). Be sure you have good connections
at the cables. If the voltage reads 13.6 - 14.4 VDC (+/- 0.2) with no load, the converter is
functioning properly.
Figure 2

Figure 3
If the converter output voltage at the battery reads 0.0 VDC, or if the battery is not
charging, check for an open inline fuse in the battery wire circuit. One may have been
installed by the RV manufacturer. Also check for loose wiring connections.
Reverse Polarity Fuses
If there is no DC output coming from the WF-8855E Series Converter-Charger output lugs,
rst check the reverse polarity fuses on the rear panel. en, visually inspect the fuses for
any breaks in the fuse element. If no breaks are found, use a continuity tester to check for
continuity. If the reverse polarity fuses are blown, it means the RV battery was accidentally
connected in reverse, either at the battery or at the converter. Investigate the connections
and reconnect the cables properly. Replace the fuse with the same type and amperage rating
as the original.
IMPORTANT: ese fuses protect the converter from damage if the RV battery is
accidentally connected in reverse. A reversed battery connection, even if for only a second,
will cause these fuses to blow.
If the above checks have been made but the converter output still reads 0.0 VDC, the
converter is not functioning properly.
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GENERAL COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Agency Listings
UL
e WF-8855E Converter-Chargers are UL-Listed, and cUL-Listed (Canadian).
FCC Compliance Class B
NOTE: is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. ese limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. is equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case
the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
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Figure 4

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Installing the WF-8855E Converter-Charger
Mounting the Enclosure
e WF-8855E Converter-Charger enclosure should be mounted in an accessible area such as
a wall or in the side of a cabinet. Select a mounting location near the shore power and battery
(batteries), in an area where the owner is unlikely to store items as this could reduce clearance
requirements, obstruct ventilation openings and aect the performance of the converter (Figure
5).
e location should be selected to prevent excessive heat, water, moisture, dust and dirt entering
the unit installed. As a rule, allow two cubic feet of clear airspace and or any additional venting
as necessary to prevent the unit from overheating. e front of the enclosure should not be
obstructed to allow free air ow for the cooling fan (Figure 5).
An 8AWG copper conductor shall be used to bond the WF-8855E Converter-Charger to the
vehicle frame.
Figure 5

DC Connections
Connect a Red 8 AWG wire to the POS+ lug on the distribution center’s fuse board. Make
sure this lug is torqued properly. In a similar fashion, connect a Black 8 AWG wire to the
NEG- lug on the distribution center’s fuse board.
A battery IS NOT required for converter operation. e battery works in conjunction with
the converter to supply DC power to the RV. A battery is typically only necessary if you do
a lot of dry camping or have slide-outs and/or a leveling system. Deep-cycle batteries are
recommended. ey can be either of the Lead-Acid or the AGM type. e Amp hour (Ah)
rating should be shown on the battery; for example, 120A. If you do a lot of dry camping,
we recommend using a deep cycle battery rated at 100 Amp hours or more. e higher the
Amp hour rating, the longer the battery will be able to deliver power when the converter is
not plugged in. If you are plugged into shore power most of the time, a normal deep cycle
battery will work.
When installing batteries, the batteries MUST be the same brand and type (preferably the
same age as well). Adding more batteries will provide longer use of DC appliances when not
on shore power. Due to the additional battery load, the converter’s battery charging
eciency may be reduced. However, even in normal “Absorption Mode” (13.6 VDC range),
the batteries are being charged, just at a slower rate.
NOTE: e converter will not work without AC input. You may notice that, when a battery
is connected or reconnected to the converter’s output, the onboard fan may energize for a
few seconds. is is normal and is the converter’s circuitry recognizing the battery voltage.
You will notice the same occurrence when the converter is initially energized on Shore
power.
AC Connections
e WF-8855E Converter-Chargers receive power from the power cord on the
opposite end of the enclosure from the DC lugs. e WF-8855E has a standard 15 Amp
plug.
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Figure 6

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Figure 7

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